Live it up

Music lovers would have noticed that the city has gotten more live-ly with music performances at clubs, lounges and bars of late.

While DJs still spin their stuff, live performances — local and international gigs — are getting more space everywhere. With several days and nights dedicated to live music performances, the city is buzzing with new forms of music.

Ashwani Verma, musician with Delhi’s rock band Euphoria, who has been observing the music circuit for 18 years says, “The concert arena seems to be losing space and small gigs are becoming popular. Live music has the energy which people are looking for these days.”

Abhishek Mangla, an electric bass player who juggles between Delhi and Amsterdam, says things have improved.

“Many venues in Delhi/NCR still lack infrastructure for live performances but in the last few years new venues have opened up for musicians.”

He adds, “It has helped artistes find their audience as well as make a living through their music.”

In 1994, there were some four venues in town where artistes could perform. Now there are at least 8-9 venues in one location. “Small venues and entertainment places are endorsing live gigs as they bring popularity to the place too. Also, new artistes get to play — even though there isn’t much money at the beginning,” says Verma.

As people have started to explore different genres of music, artistes too are looking at what engages the audience.

Places such as Downstairs, Out of the Box, Drift, Striker, @Live, Blue Frog, Cocktails and Dreams, Cheri, Kitty Su, The Mezz, etc are becoming hot spots for live Indian as well as international bands and artistes.

Stefan Kaye, who works with the recently-opened Downstairs in Hauz Khas Village, says, “The idea now is to promote non-mainstream live entertainment and present music to everyone.

The concept of ‘pub theatre’ is catching on in Delhi, where it takes entertainment from traditional to modern/intimate spaces.”